When people have children most assume those children will grow up, find a partner, settle down and start a family of their own. When individuals think about having grandchildren, they probably envision visiting them and taking them out for treats. Then the grandparents go back home having enjoyed the time spent. Unfortunately in Durham, NC and elsewhere, there seems to be a growing trend where grandparents end up raising their grandchildren. In Durham, NC when they seek official grandparent custody Durham NC seniors sometimes find it confusing and frustrating however.
You may not approve of your children's parenting style, but unless there is abuse or neglect, there may not be much you can do about it. Most family service agencies and court systems try to keep the family unit intact if at all possible. It is often difficult for a relative to convince a judge that their home would be a better place for those minor children.
You might assume drug abuse on the parent's part would be enough to separate children from their parents, but in many states that is not true. In some states a drug addicted mother of an unborn child can be charged with child abuse, but once the child is born, involving the child in drug activity may be the only thing in this situation that constitutes abuse.
The most common way grandparents end up raising their grandchildren is by parents giving over authority. Sometimes the mother or father will drop off their children with the grandparents and disappear. Other times children spend more and more time with their grandparents until they are actually living with them full time.
Death and incarceration are two events that take parents from their children suddenly. In these cases, the grandparents may decide to leave the situation as it is after filing any paperwork necessary so they have can make important decision on the children's behalf. Other grandparents try to make legal custodial care arrangements through the court system.
When seniors decide to fight for custodial rights in the courts, they often face difficult challenges. If the minors are already in their care, it is usually easier to convince the legal system to make the relationship formal. Parents who are have been sentenced to long prison terms, have been convicted of child abuse, or have abandoned their children are most at risk of losing legal guardianship.
Seniors involved in these types of situations should clearly understand that guardianship is not the same as adoption. If the parent's circumstances change, and they can prove they have the means and the ability to safely raise their children, the courts can, and often do, return the minors to the parental home and terminate the custodial rights of the grandparents.
It is always difficult when close relatives fear children might not have the kind of home life they deserve. Unfortunately it is sometimes difficult to correct the situation without going through a multitude of legal hurdles.
You may not approve of your children's parenting style, but unless there is abuse or neglect, there may not be much you can do about it. Most family service agencies and court systems try to keep the family unit intact if at all possible. It is often difficult for a relative to convince a judge that their home would be a better place for those minor children.
You might assume drug abuse on the parent's part would be enough to separate children from their parents, but in many states that is not true. In some states a drug addicted mother of an unborn child can be charged with child abuse, but once the child is born, involving the child in drug activity may be the only thing in this situation that constitutes abuse.
The most common way grandparents end up raising their grandchildren is by parents giving over authority. Sometimes the mother or father will drop off their children with the grandparents and disappear. Other times children spend more and more time with their grandparents until they are actually living with them full time.
Death and incarceration are two events that take parents from their children suddenly. In these cases, the grandparents may decide to leave the situation as it is after filing any paperwork necessary so they have can make important decision on the children's behalf. Other grandparents try to make legal custodial care arrangements through the court system.
When seniors decide to fight for custodial rights in the courts, they often face difficult challenges. If the minors are already in their care, it is usually easier to convince the legal system to make the relationship formal. Parents who are have been sentenced to long prison terms, have been convicted of child abuse, or have abandoned their children are most at risk of losing legal guardianship.
Seniors involved in these types of situations should clearly understand that guardianship is not the same as adoption. If the parent's circumstances change, and they can prove they have the means and the ability to safely raise their children, the courts can, and often do, return the minors to the parental home and terminate the custodial rights of the grandparents.
It is always difficult when close relatives fear children might not have the kind of home life they deserve. Unfortunately it is sometimes difficult to correct the situation without going through a multitude of legal hurdles.
About the Author:
Get a summary of the factors to consider when picking a grandparent custody Durham NC attorney and more information about a reputable lawyer at http://foillawoffices.com now.
No comments:
Post a Comment